WASHINGTON –This year Champagne Day is October 25.Wine lovers worldwide will raise a flute to that quintessential wine of celebration, good cheer, and toasts everywhere: Champagne. The annual event encourages the celebration of this truly unique wine that can only come from the Champagne region in France. Consumers from around the world are encouraged to participate in the celebration of Champagne and raise awareness about the need to protect the Champagne name.

Participating is easy. Consumers can join Champagne Day online by blogging, tweeting, posting and sharing their thoughts by using the #ChampagneDay hashtag. Or, they can host or join one of the numerous retail and restaurant tastings that are being planned in locations across the United States. To stay up-to-date on the most current news regarding Champagne Day or to register an event, visit http://bit.ly/19EIh4L.

As part of the celebration, the Champagne Bureau, USA, is once again hosting a contest to recognize authentic Champagne and will give away a new iPad mini to one lucky winner. Contestants are encouraged to send an original photograph or video completing the sentence “Champagne is. . .” All entries must exclusively showcase authentic Champagne and support the sentiment expressed in the statement: "Champagne only comes from Champagne, France." Entries that do not feature a Champagne bottle or label will be accepted as long as authentic Champagne is featured.

There are three ways to enter for a chance to win:

1)Post a picture/video to Instagram using the #ChampagneDay hashtag and tag the Champagne Bureau, USA;

OR

2)Post a picture/video to your Facebook profile and tag yourself and the Champagne Bureau, USA, in the picture;

OR

3)Email a picture or video to champagne@clsdc.com with the subject line “Champagne Day 2013 Contest Entry.”

One Grand Prize winner will be selected randomly on October 23 and receive a new iPad mini. The winner will be announced on October 25, Champagne Day. Complete contest rules are available at www.champagneis.com. Contest entrants may submit multiple entries to increase their chances of winning. All entries must be unique, as duplicate entries will not be considered.

The Champagne Bureau, USA is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Champagne, a trade association which represents the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to educate U.S. consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name. For more information, visit us online at www.champagne.us. Follow us on Twitter at @ChampagneBureau.